Chapter 120: When Moral Blackmail Has No Place
After Ghost Douluo finished speaking, he returned to Qian Xunji's side.
Qin Xuan and Tang Hao exchanged glances and raised their right hands. A golden longsword formed in one, while a two-meter-long black great hammer, crackling with lightning, appeared in the other. Seven spirit rings rose around both of them. Tang Hao's configuration was a normal two yellow, two purple, and three black. Qin Xuan's, however, was terrifying, with his seventh ring being a legendary hundred-thousand-year red.
"It really is a hundred-thousand-year spirit ring," Tang Hao said, his expression solemn as he tightened his grip on the Clear Sky Hammer.
In the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's resting area, Bone Douluo shot Qin Xuan a venomous glance. "Clan Master, this is what you said—"
"Shh," Ning Fengzhi gestured. He was now completely traumatized by Jingni Douluo's ability to overhear transmissions.
"Then who do you think will win?" Bone Douluo changed the subject.
"Tang Hao will definitely lose," Sword Douluo said, having already reached a conclusion. This young man, he thought, perhaps he really can fight me at the Spirit Saint stage.
At the center of the arena, Tang Hao incorporated the Slaughter God Domain into his spirit pressure. His eyes were tinged with red as he spoke coldly, "Before we start, I have a question. If I defeat and injure you, will Jingni Douluo disregard her status and pursue me, or even trouble my Clear Sky Clan?"
This was a provocation, a form of moral blackmail. It was a common tactic to make a powerful senior hesitate and hold back.
Unfortunately for him, Qin Xuan had no morals to be blackmailed.
"When fighting, do you always like to talk so much nonsense?" Qin Xuan's gaze was like he was looking at an idiot. "Or is the once-in-a-century genius of the Clear Sky Clan only capable of verbal sparring? My wife is not even twenty-five, and you are thirty-four. Are you not ashamed to speak of her 'disregarding her status'?"
"You—" Tang Hao was speechless, stunned by the retort. Even his Slaughter God Domain paused for a moment.
"Alright, alright. You're afraid of my wife but don't dare to say it directly," Qin Xuan said, his voice carrying across the arena. "For the sake of your so-called fairness, I, at the age of less than twenty-one, accept your challenge, junior of thirty-four. I solemnly promise that if you can defeat me—even if you kill me or cripple me—my wife will not seek revenge on your Clear Sky Clan. Is that fair enough?"
The audience, who had initially been swayed by Tang Hao's words, suddenly realized the truth. Tang Hao, the so-called genius, seemed to be nothing special after all. Ning Fengzhi showed a bitter smile. Trying to take advantage of that bastard Qin Xuan was harder than ascending to heaven.
Qin Xuan had lost patience. With a flick of his longsword, an even more powerful Slaughter God Domain erupted from him, instantly dispersing Tang Hao's own. "This is the Slaughter God Domain... and it's even stronger than mine!" Tang Hao was both shocked and enraged.
"Battle begins!" the referee commanded.
Qin Xuan moved, and with a single stride, he was already in front of Tang Hao, delivering a powerful sword strike. Tang Hao hardened his expression and used his Clear Sky Hammer to block.
Clang—
To his shock, he was sent flying back more than ten meters like a cannonball. He, who was known for his strength, had lost to another person at the same level for the first time in his life. Qin Xuan did not give him a chance to breathe and attacked again.
Tang Hao was no ordinary person. He leaned back, narrowly dodging the sword strike, then performed a flip to regain his footing. The Clear Sky Hammer, covered by the Slaughter God Domain, erupted with dazzling lightning as he struck back with the 'Break' ability from the Clear Sky Nine Strikes.
Qin Xuan had no interest in clashing head-on. He used his sword art, skillfully dissipating the powerful force from the hammer. The two exchanged several more blows, sparks flying. In the fifth move, Tang Hao deliberately revealed a flaw, choosing to collide head-on. The Changming Sword in Qin Xuan's hand was shaken loose.
"Good opportunity!"
Although he didn't know why Qin Xuan had forgone using his Spirit Abilities to engage in the close-quarters combat that the Clear Sky Clan was most proficient in, at this moment, almost everyone present felt the scales of victory tip towards Tang Hao.
Some were gloating, such as Ning Fengzhi, Gu Rong, and Qian Xunji.
Others, like Chrysanthemum Douluo and Bibi Dong, could only watch on with worry.
[Inorin Note:
If you wish to support me so I can continue to survive and afford proper food, you can join my membership on Patreon [patreon.com/InorinTL]. Be sure to check out "The Founding Pillars"—a special, limited-time tier that offers all the benefits of "The Plot Uncoverer" at a discounted price! Slots are limited, so grab yours before they run out. Besides membership, you can also donate via Ko-Fi [https://ko-fi.com/inorintl].
I hope I am still worthy of your support. My life truly depends on this... haha, I know I'm so shameless.]